Chicken Tortilla Soup with Charred Corn & Monterey Jack

Step 1

• Wash and dry produce. • Drain and rinse corn; thoroughly pat dry with paper towels. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. • Pat chicken* dry with paper towels; season all over with Southwest Spice, salt, and pepper.

Step 2

• Heat a drizzle of oil in a medium pot over high heat (use a large pot for 4 servings). Add corn and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and lightly charred in spots, 4-6 minutes. (TIP: If corn begins to pop, cover pot.) Transfer to a medium bowl.

Step 3

• Reduce heat under pot to medium high; add a drizzle of oil and chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 3-4 minutes (it’ll finish cooking later).

Step 4

• Add scallion whites to pot; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Return corn to pot. Stir in Tex-Mex paste; cook 30 seconds. • Pour in 3 cups water (5½ cups for 4 servings), stock concentrate, and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pot. • Set aside a few tortilla chips for garnish; using your hands, crush remaining chips into small pieces and stir into soup.

Step 5

• Reduce heat under pot with soup to medium. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until broth is slightly thickened and chicken is cooked through, 8-10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Step 6

• Divide soup between bowls and let cool slightly. Top with Monterey Jack, scallion greens, and sour cream. Crush remaining tortilla chips and sprinkle over soup. Serve.